Bjorn Hanson Joins NYU's Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports

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. October 14, 2008

NEW YORK, NY, June 17, 2008. Bjorn Hanson, a hospitality and travel researcher widely respected for his industry forecasts and for having created econometric models that transformed business analysis in the field, is joining the full-time faculty of the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management at New York University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies (www.scps.nyu.edu/tischcenter). He will be a clinical associate professor teaching in the Tisch Center's undergraduate and graduate hospitality and tourism programs, beginning in fall 2008.

Hanson announced both his NYU appointment and retirement from his position of global industry leader, hospitality and leisure, at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP during remarks at the 30th Anniversary NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference held in New York City last week. The remarks were made during Hanson's acceptance of the 2008 Lodging Hospitality Stephen W. Brener Silver Plate Award.

"My management consulting and professional services career has been thrilling," said Hanson. "But I have now reached 'the age'-the nice way of describing it is 'the age when there is no longer a discount for early retirement'-and am able to pursue my other career passion, education.' I have worked with wonderful colleagues and clients during my years at PricewaterhouseCoopers and look forward to working with amazing new colleagues and students of NYU and the Tisch Center."

Hanson added, "My guest lectures and adjunct and visiting professor experiences have been among the most enjoyable and rewarding of my years in our industry, and to now have the opportunity to be a full-time faculty member of one of the world's greatest hospitality programs and universities is truly exciting. In addition to teaching, I look forward to being involved with NYU's incredible students with advisement, student organizations, and continuing my career-long interest in research."

Currently the chair of the Tisch Center's Advisory Board of industry leaders, Hanson has taught in the program as a guest lecturer and adjunct professor for 16 years. He holds a Ph.D. from New York University, an M.B.A. from Fordham University, and a Bachelor's degree from Cornell University.

NYU-SCPS Dean Robert Lapiner said, "Bjorn Hanson is not only an experienced industry professional, but is also an educator and researcher of notable accomplishment in the fields of hospitality and travel. His high academic standards, productivity as a researcher, and rich professional experience in business, lodging, travel, gaming, and leisure will add immeasurably to the continuing advancement of NYU-SCPS's Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management. Our School is grateful to Bjorn Hanson for his years of service as a committed industry leader and advocate, and we are thus especially delighted to welcome him in his new role as one of our full-time faculty."

"Having someone of Dr. Hanson's caliber and reputation join the Tisch Center faculty is a coup for SCPS and the University," says Lalia Rach, the Tisch Center's divisional dean and HVS International Chair. "He adds a new dimension to our already strong applied research efforts and our students will benefit from his extraordinary knowledge of all facets of the industry."

Hanson began his tenure at PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1990. He founded the firm's hospitality and leisure practice and has held various positions at PwC, including: national industry chairman for the hospitality industries, national service line director for hospitality consulting, national industry chairman for real estate, real estate service line director, and national director of appraisal services. He also served on the firm's leadership committee and financial advisory services management committee. Prior to joining PricewaterhouseCoopers, Hanson was a managing director with two Wall Street firms where he led banking and research departments for lodging and gaming.

He also co-chaired a committee of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and was president of the Cornell Club of New York. He has been the Cornell University "Hotelie of the Year," a Conti Distinguished Professor at Penn State University, and holds CRE and CFE professional designations.

Hanson is an author and frequent speaker who has been quoted in almost every major business periodical and industry journal, including Time, Newsweek, Forbes, Fortune, US News & World Report, Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal (US, European and Asian editions), Barron's, and The New York Times. He has appeared numerous times on CNN, CNBC, FOX, WCBS, PBS, the Today Show, and media outlets. Hanson has published chapters in all four editions of HOTEL INVESTMENTS and has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry" by Meeting News, one of 75 industry leaders in Lodging magazine's "Profiles in Leadership," and as "One of the 33 Most Influential People in the Travel Industry" by Travel Weekly.